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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shakeyboy on August 22, 2010, at 17:38:11
Does anyone take Klonopin (clonazepam) for anxiety? If you do at what dose and for how long have you been taking it? Does it work?
shakeyboy
Posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2010, at 19:20:17
In reply to klonopin, posted by shakeyboy on August 22, 2010, at 17:38:11
I used to take it take other benzos now but it's very popular and lots of people do take klonopin. It's the strongest of the benzos and seems people take lots of doses from .25mg up to a few mg a day. It's also used for seizures and in that case up to 20mg is okay. What dose were you thinking of and what have you tried for anxiety thus far. Phillipa
Posted by angels78 on August 22, 2010, at 21:33:23
In reply to klonopin, posted by shakeyboy on August 22, 2010, at 17:38:11
it works but makes me ZzZzZzZz...
Posted by Dinah on August 22, 2010, at 21:47:48
In reply to klonopin, posted by shakeyboy on August 22, 2010, at 17:38:11
I've been taking it for years at bedtime to help me sleep. I've gotten down to .25 mg, but if I go lower than that, I start with the nighttime wakefulness.
I am authorized to take it as needed during the day. I usually prefer risperdal for anxiety, but klonopin works faster and in low doses doesn't make me sleepy. I've actually taken .5 mg a few times lately.
It does work.
How much have you been prescribed?
Posted by morgan miller on August 22, 2010, at 22:36:01
In reply to klonopin, posted by shakeyboy on August 22, 2010, at 17:38:11
> Does anyone take Klonopin (clonazepam) for anxiety? If you do at what dose and for how long have you been taking it? Does it work?
> shakeyboyKlonopin can be very effective for anxiety. I used it regularly in the past, but realized it was making me feel numb so I stopped. Now, I just us it every once in a while when I feel I really need it. Personally, I would go with a low dose of Lexapro over the long term potentially addictive and tolerance building use of Klonopin or any other benzo.
What things have you tried for anxiety thus far?
There are many natural/supplement alternatives that I would try before I tried Lexapro or klonopin.
Posted by morgan miller on August 22, 2010, at 23:51:14
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by Dinah on August 22, 2010, at 21:47:48
> I've been taking it for years at bedtime to help me sleep. I've gotten down to .25 mg, but if I go lower than that, I start with the nighttime wakefulness.
Have you ever heard of taking Lyrica(pregabalin) for sleep? Evidently klonopin worsens quality of sleep, but pregabalin may improve it.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12611835
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11714899
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16171242
Morgan
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 23, 2010, at 1:16:08
In reply to klonopin, posted by shakeyboy on August 22, 2010, at 17:38:11
Klonopin is effective for anxiety. Like Phillipa said, its strong stuff--its just as potent as xanax, it just takes longer to kick in and lasts longer. Some docs used to think that it might be less addictive than, say, valium, which I guess is why its so popular now. I don't think there's actually any evidence Klonopin is less "addictive" or is abused less often than other benzos.
Watch out for: drug-induced depression/dysphoria, sedation, cognitive impairment. The half-life is apparently crazy long, so it builds up if you take it often enough. PRN use is probably the best way to go with benzos.
Posted by Dinah on August 23, 2010, at 9:27:29
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by morgan miller on August 22, 2010, at 23:51:14
At this point, I think the sleep issues are small enough that I don't want to introduce anything extra for them. The Klonopin dose is so tiny that I almost feel like it must be a placebo effect, and can never quite figure out why I can't even go down to 1/8 mg instead of 1/4.
I do have sleep apnea, and my sleep neurologist also warned me about the Klonopin. But it's at such a low dose now, he doesn't worry about it overmuch.
Posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 14:19:35
In reply to Re: klonopin » morgan miller, posted by Dinah on August 23, 2010, at 9:27:29
Dinah, is your sleep apnea a result of a sinus problem? I believe there is a new laser procedure procedure for this that can be very effective. Not sure if my father had this procedure done or the older one, but since he cleared up his sinus problem and eliminated sleep apnea, he says he sleeps like a baby every night.
Morgan
Posted by Dinah on August 24, 2010, at 18:10:31
In reply to Re: klonopin » Dinah, posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 14:19:35
I don't have any sinus problems that I know of. Sleep disorders are common in my mother's family, so I guess I just figured it was genetic. My weight doesn't help either.
It's great that your dad found a solution for his sleep issues. Life is much better on a good night's sleep.
Posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 22:21:30
In reply to Re: klonopin » morgan miller, posted by Dinah on August 24, 2010, at 18:10:31
I think he could breath fine and didn't have a sinus problems really, he just had something going on in his sinus cavity that was causing sleep apnea.
Posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 22:23:17
In reply to Re: klonopin » Dinah, posted by morgan miller on August 24, 2010, at 22:21:30
Maybe he had a problem in his throat? Hmm, I'll have to ask. Anyway, the procedure took care of the sleep apnea.
Posted by Evil Weevil on August 26, 2010, at 18:37:06
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by Christ_empowered on August 23, 2010, at 1:16:08
It most definitely works for me, I take 2mg BID. However, I wouldn't recommend PRN use with clonazepam, it just doesn't hit with a heavy hammer like alprazolam or lorazepam. I use it more as a prophylactic so i don't get those awful panic attacks.
Don't get me wrong, you will start to feel the calming effects i]within 15-30 minutes, but it's much smoother and less punchy than other benzos.
Posted by morgan miller on August 26, 2010, at 21:37:37
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by Evil Weevil on August 26, 2010, at 18:37:06
> It most definitely works for me, I take 2mg BID. However, I wouldn't recommend PRN use with clonazepam, it just doesn't hit with a heavy hammer like alprazolam or lorazepam. I use it more as a prophylactic so i don't get those awful panic attacks.
>
> Don't get me wrong, you will start to feel the calming effects i]within 15-30 minutes, but it's much smoother and less punchy than other benzos.I think it's much better PRN, less of a chance of getting addicted and wanting to keep taking it. Plus, it is very effective. You don't want that extreme drugged feeling, it may be a little too pleasurable.
This is the end of the thread.
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